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Of Dragons and Fae #3
Caged in Shadow
New York Times Bestseller Jasmine Walt returns with the final book in this fantasy romance trilogy, perfect for fans of elemental fae and brooding dragon warriors...
Adara and Einar are at a crossroads. With no allies left in the fae realm, they only have one option left to unlock Adara's powers--the dragons who fled Ediria nearly twenty years ago.
In order to find the dragons, Adara will have to travel to the heart of Mount Furian and access the portal they used to escape. And since Einar cannot cross the portal himself, she will have to travel to this dangerous new realm and convince the dragons to help her without her staunchest ally by her side.
The last thing Einar wants is to send Adara through the portal, not when they are so close to completing the mating bond. But time is of the essence as Nox's dark power grows every day, and sacrifices must be made. If Adara does not stop Nox soon, the Mother of Shadows will unleash a terrible evil upon Ediria that even the Radiants cannot withstand. And Adara and Einar will lose not only each other, but everything they hold dear...
Caged in Shadow is the final book in Of Dragons and Fae. Get your copy today to read the thrilling conclusion of this epic fantasy romance read!
Adara and Einar are at a crossroads. With no allies left in the fae realm, they only have one option left to unlock Adara's powers--the dragons who fled Ediria nearly twenty years ago.
In order to find the dragons, Adara will have to travel to the heart of Mount Furian and access the portal they used to escape. And since Einar cannot cross the portal himself, she will have to travel to this dangerous new realm and convince the dragons to help her without her staunchest ally by her side.
The last thing Einar wants is to send Adara through the portal, not when they are so close to completing the mating bond. But time is of the essence as Nox's dark power grows every day, and sacrifices must be made. If Adara does not stop Nox soon, the Mother of Shadows will unleash a terrible evil upon Ediria that even the Radiants cannot withstand. And Adara and Einar will lose not only each other, but everything they hold dear...
Caged in Shadow is the final book in Of Dragons and Fae. Get your copy today to read the thrilling conclusion of this epic fantasy romance read!
414 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2023
1640 people are currently reading
21191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 646 reviews
June 30, 2023
Omg I can’t believe I’m saying this but that was so disappointing. I loved book 1 and 2 but not this one.
What I didn’t like was that Einar and Adara were separated for literally the entirety of the book. Just fyi they go their separate ways at 14% and don’t reunite until 77%!!!
This means we get zero romantic moments or relationship development for most of the book. But the saddest thing about that was that Einar basically isn’t present when Adara transforms into her dragon form for the first time. I was hoping for some cool moments where Einar teaches her how to fly. I don’t know that would have made for some really sweet bonding moments. They complete the bond at 93%!!!! Are you kidding me???!!!
What I also didn’t like is that it took so long for Adara to complete her ritual to unlock her dragon form. It doesn’t take place until 70% through the book.
And finally what I really didn’t like was the pace. I found myself skipping the chapters and skipping to their reunion because the plot just wasn’t very engaging.
I really didn’t like where the story went. I would have liked for Adara to unlock her dragon form at the end of book 2. Then that would have meant seeing Einar train Adara and spar and also teach her how to fly which would have given us some romantic, hot, and funny moments. It would have also given a sense of progression of the romance and allowed them to bond.
And then it would have been cool to have them complete the mating bond maybe halfway through and then the second half of the book could have focused on winning the war against Nox.
Adara could have still traveled to the portal to get the dragons but it could have been shorter.
There were so many ways the story could have gone but the way it actually went left me feeling disappointed.
The overall story of the series was cool but this book was a massive letdown especially for a final book in a series. It felt so completely different from the previous two I’m still baffled. I really was not expecting to dislike it.
What I didn’t like was that Einar and Adara were separated for literally the entirety of the book. Just fyi they go their separate ways at 14% and don’t reunite until 77%!!!
This means we get zero romantic moments or relationship development for most of the book. But the saddest thing about that was that Einar basically isn’t present when Adara transforms into her dragon form for the first time. I was hoping for some cool moments where Einar teaches her how to fly. I don’t know that would have made for some really sweet bonding moments. They complete the bond at 93%!!!! Are you kidding me???!!!
What I also didn’t like is that it took so long for Adara to complete her ritual to unlock her dragon form. It doesn’t take place until 70% through the book.
And finally what I really didn’t like was the pace. I found myself skipping the chapters and skipping to their reunion because the plot just wasn’t very engaging.
I really didn’t like where the story went. I would have liked for Adara to unlock her dragon form at the end of book 2. Then that would have meant seeing Einar train Adara and spar and also teach her how to fly which would have given us some romantic, hot, and funny moments. It would have also given a sense of progression of the romance and allowed them to bond.
And then it would have been cool to have them complete the mating bond maybe halfway through and then the second half of the book could have focused on winning the war against Nox.
Adara could have still traveled to the portal to get the dragons but it could have been shorter.
There were so many ways the story could have gone but the way it actually went left me feeling disappointed.
The overall story of the series was cool but this book was a massive letdown especially for a final book in a series. It felt so completely different from the previous two I’m still baffled. I really was not expecting to dislike it.
July 22, 2024
I could give some long spiel about everything that happened in this book, but it all comes down to the same point. This was just so boring.
She spent the entire second book trying to do the ritual thing, and failed, and then she spent this entire book doing the exact same thing.
When I started reading it I figured she might spend a hundred or so pages getting the ritual done, and freeing her dragon.
But at every stop they made in the new world they were in to find the dragon princess, they needed to stay a few days, and do a bunch of meaningless stuff.
She and Einar were practically separated the entire book.
The other point of views were so boring I almost fell asleep.
It was like everything that happened in the book didn’t happen because of the characters and the choices they made. It was as if it happened because the author had decided that was how it was to be, because the book needed pages with words on them.
You get what I mean? It makes sense in my head.
This has gotten worse with each book I have read.
She spent the entire second book trying to do the ritual thing, and failed, and then she spent this entire book doing the exact same thing.
When I started reading it I figured she might spend a hundred or so pages getting the ritual done, and freeing her dragon.
But at every stop they made in the new world they were in to find the dragon princess, they needed to stay a few days, and do a bunch of meaningless stuff.
She and Einar were practically separated the entire book.
The other point of views were so boring I almost fell asleep.
It was like everything that happened in the book didn’t happen because of the characters and the choices they made. It was as if it happened because the author had decided that was how it was to be, because the book needed pages with words on them.
You get what I mean? It makes sense in my head.
This has gotten worse with each book I have read.
August 19, 2023
Series review:
Interesting but something felt missing from the story. There was no depth to the characters. Just an okay read.
Interesting but something felt missing from the story. There was no depth to the characters. Just an okay read.
March 31, 2024
Let me just say, this series isn’t good. But I started it and I’m not a quitter so I saw it through til the end. The third book is a little better than the first two, but not by much.
This story could have been so much better. It was a great concept but lacks any kind of depth, very predictable, and is incredibly anticlimactic. It ends up being more cheesy than anything else. There is no character building whatsoever. No chemistry between the two main characters. The author seems to not be able to make up her mind about what kind of story she wants this to be. There are several times they will mention something that could go so much deeper but just kind of blow it off and never mention it again which is super annoying. The author is not a horrible writer, but lacks any great story telling abilities.
On top of all this, there are several typos and grammatical errors. One character’s name even changes completely at one point then reverts back to the original name.
To try and promote this book as if ACOTAR and Fourth Wing had a baby is an insult to those books and authors.
This story could have been so much better. It was a great concept but lacks any kind of depth, very predictable, and is incredibly anticlimactic. It ends up being more cheesy than anything else. There is no character building whatsoever. No chemistry between the two main characters. The author seems to not be able to make up her mind about what kind of story she wants this to be. There are several times they will mention something that could go so much deeper but just kind of blow it off and never mention it again which is super annoying. The author is not a horrible writer, but lacks any great story telling abilities.
On top of all this, there are several typos and grammatical errors. One character’s name even changes completely at one point then reverts back to the original name.
To try and promote this book as if ACOTAR and Fourth Wing had a baby is an insult to those books and authors.
September 15, 2023
Was a little disappointed with the direction this one took. I felt that the minor plots took hold of most of the book. The main driver of the story continued to be the coming of age ritual. So the big finale felt anticlimactic and rushed. However the book did have its heart melting moments. I think the multi pov really ruined it for me. That it overshadowed the good parts.
October 31, 2024
I can't get past her mate being her father's best friend. It's giving Jacob.
May 1, 2025
A bit disappointing honestly, I liked the ending but it was all journey no destination in the end.
May 15, 2024
Kind of hard to finish this one. Just a bit of nothing to end the story really.
July 16, 2024
3.25/5⭐️
1/5🌶️
I hate feeling like I’m pushing through a book just to be done but that’s exactly what happened here. This book is where things finally withered for me. I really liked the story, the lore was fascinating but the way the romance was handled in this book had me wanting to pull hair. It was a slow burn that was just too slow. Not to mention that majority of this book was the separation trope and I strongly dislike the separation trope.
1/5🌶️
I hate feeling like I’m pushing through a book just to be done but that’s exactly what happened here. This book is where things finally withered for me. I really liked the story, the lore was fascinating but the way the romance was handled in this book had me wanting to pull hair. It was a slow burn that was just too slow. Not to mention that majority of this book was the separation trope and I strongly dislike the separation trope.
January 24, 2024
Couldn’t give it 5 stars because of repetitive language (ugh… find new adjectives) and a “slow burn” that was emphasis on the SLOW, not so much the burn. Overall great little series, albeit pretty YA.
July 20, 2024
Felt rushed and both the romantic tension and conflict tension was weak.
Also too many POVs and it switched every chapter so you have to mentally jump back and forth.
Also too many POVs and it switched every chapter so you have to mentally jump back and forth.
June 23, 2024
This is the final book in the series and… it was just okay. Things were slow-moving for 80% of the book, and there were large portions of the text that I felt like skipping, but then the last 20% was incredibly rushed and sort of lackluster in its delivery. Adara and Einar were separated for the majority of the story, which was a big letdown because I really wanted to see their relationship progress through some of the big milestones in her personal journey. I did enjoy reading about Adara’s interactions with Ylena, and I loved the additions to the cast once she made it to the island with Quye. Now that I’ve read the trilogy, I think these books would be great for the late-teen audience as they have a younger voice to them, and they’re a more simplistic fantasy read.
May 21, 2025
The way I waited three entire books for them to be together… just for it to be so extremely disappointing. LIKE??? I waited so long for smut and well….🥴 THEY WERE NOT EVEN TOGETHER FOR MAJORITY OF THE BOOK?? I have so much anger for this entire thing.
Another thing is the different povs, I seriously didn’t care about half of these characters. I could deal with reading about them BUT if you’re going to switch so often, maybe finish the train of thought beforehand. The amount of jumping around was driving me crazy. Ending one chapter from Adara on a cliffhanger and then having to suffer through multiple chapters from some other character was painful.
I read this entire series in two days, so like I didn’t hate it. But, this book was too rushed for me. Three stars.
Another thing is the different povs, I seriously didn’t care about half of these characters. I could deal with reading about them BUT if you’re going to switch so often, maybe finish the train of thought beforehand. The amount of jumping around was driving me crazy. Ending one chapter from Adara on a cliffhanger and then having to suffer through multiple chapters from some other character was painful.
I read this entire series in two days, so like I didn’t hate it. But, this book was too rushed for me. Three stars.
November 10, 2024
Ohh this was so good. The really enjoyed the pacing with this one. It is a bit of a bummer the main characters spend so much time separated in this book, however while you're reading it, it doesn't feel that long cause the story keeps you going. However I think I feel this way because Mavlyn and Leap are two of my favorite characters and a lot of this story follows them. Did I want more romance between Adara and Einar? Yes, however I wasn't expecting it and was okay without it. Overall really enjoyed this little series and its take on fae and dragons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
3.75⭐️ overall I’ve enjoyed the series… the characters and their stories… however, this book felt short for me… if the previous one felt rushed, this last one gave me the same feeling… the ending was a happy one and everything turned out great for the main characters but for all the secondary characters, where’s their happy ending? What happens to them? Left me with so many questions and some uncertainties and in between some confusing moments… but besides that I’m glad I’ve read this trilogy…
October 21, 2024
I really wanted to love this series, however I would rate this book series overall a generous 3 stars. The storyline was refreshing, and I appreciated that it was a trilogy. However, the writing was somewhat disappointing. I felt there were too many unnecessary points of view, which left me confused and distracted from the main story, causing the ending to feel rushed. I would have loved a few additional chapters showing how Adara and Einar rebuilt the Dragon Kingdom and restored it to its former glory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Ok, the ending was cute, but unfortunately, incredibly anticlimactic.
If you’re looking for smut, there is essentially 1 scene in the entire series 🫣
If you’re looking for smut, there is essentially 1 scene in the entire series 🫣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2024
Decent ending to this trilogy, did like the characters in the end and things were neatly tied up, but I’ve come to realise this series is very much Young Adult orientated. Literally 1% smut through the entire series. Be warned.
April 13, 2024
This book was a roller coaster for me. Parts were interesting, then got boring, then repeating. It ended well, but a solid 4 stars for this normally romance only reader.
May 23, 2025
3,7!
Underhållande! Mycket kärlek o väldigt söt! Hela serien har varit bra, lättläst och underhållande. Som sagt inget djup i karaktärerna eller spänning, utan allt händer väldigt snabbt o man mst inte vänta mer än 1 sida innan något händer eller förklaras! Men absolut söt o najs fantasy / romance🥰 gillade slutet mycket hehe
Underhållande! Mycket kärlek o väldigt söt! Hela serien har varit bra, lättläst och underhållande. Som sagt inget djup i karaktärerna eller spänning, utan allt händer väldigt snabbt o man mst inte vänta mer än 1 sida innan något händer eller förklaras! Men absolut söt o najs fantasy / romance🥰 gillade slutet mycket hehe
April 23, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
This whole series was 4/5 stars! I definitely would recommend reading it‼️ so so good
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
This whole series was 4/5 stars! I definitely would recommend reading it‼️ so so good
April 13, 2024
Quick read, not my favorite. I enjoy a more senior author’s writing style
July 2, 2025
Drop the first 60% in the bin. The random religious cult in the portal realm? BIN. And then follow that up with all the pointless stuff that Mavlyn and Leap do. And delete the chapters with Einar just flying around waiting.
Replace the entire book with:
Travel through the portal, Adara going through the ceremony. Learning how to be a dragon with the other dragons. How to fly, use claws, balance properly. Like a child walking. Make it wholesome and meaningful. Learning how to use icefire, not randomly being able to wield it so easily. Learning how to use primal stones, making friends with the dragons while learning, for them to go back to Ediria with her. Then return and give her and Einar and his friends proper reunion scenes.
Then keep the chapters with the battle (prolong it a bit, wasn't exactly very detailed and somehow it was so easy for Adara to just vanquish both shadows and the only thing that was going to stop her was a KNIFE? Come on!!!!).
Give us a good mating bond securing. A small sex scene chapter being enough? Doesn't feel very magical or special.
The only reason it's getting two stars is because it had the basis to be so good. The way they ended it with the fire fae info and the democracy saved it. But honestly for the build up and amazing world potentials, it fell so flat.
Replace the entire book with:
Travel through the portal, Adara going through the ceremony. Learning how to be a dragon with the other dragons. How to fly, use claws, balance properly. Like a child walking. Make it wholesome and meaningful. Learning how to use icefire, not randomly being able to wield it so easily. Learning how to use primal stones, making friends with the dragons while learning, for them to go back to Ediria with her. Then return and give her and Einar and his friends proper reunion scenes.
Then keep the chapters with the battle (prolong it a bit, wasn't exactly very detailed and somehow it was so easy for Adara to just vanquish both shadows and the only thing that was going to stop her was a KNIFE? Come on!!!!).
Give us a good mating bond securing. A small sex scene chapter being enough? Doesn't feel very magical or special.
The only reason it's getting two stars is because it had the basis to be so good. The way they ended it with the fire fae info and the democracy saved it. But honestly for the build up and amazing world potentials, it fell so flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
What a great journey this book took me on! I think I liked this last book more than the other two based on the adventure Adara goes on. I honestly wasn’t expecting much of a complex storyline with this adventure, but it definitely kept me on my toes and wanting to keep going and find out what happens next!
There was little romance in this one however, so I was a little disappointed there, but didn’t take away from the adventure at all! The different POVs throughout was nice, as there was another romance blossoming with other characters that just made you go “aweee”. Super cute.
I would give this a 0.5/5🌶️, and more along the lines of YA.
The story does get into more of the politics of the world, and also find out how a different world deals with their politics. It was a refreshing story, dabbling in very YA style of politics and the basics of democracy/freedom of the press if you will.
The ending was pretty predictable, but honestly who doesn’t love a good happy ending?? I don’t always want my heart ripped out of my chest lol! So if you’re looking for a non complex world, some romance, fae and dragons, magic both light and dark, battles, light politics and just overall an easy fast read that’s a complete series, this one’s for you!
There was little romance in this one however, so I was a little disappointed there, but didn’t take away from the adventure at all! The different POVs throughout was nice, as there was another romance blossoming with other characters that just made you go “aweee”. Super cute.
I would give this a 0.5/5🌶️, and more along the lines of YA.
The story does get into more of the politics of the world, and also find out how a different world deals with their politics. It was a refreshing story, dabbling in very YA style of politics and the basics of democracy/freedom of the press if you will.
The ending was pretty predictable, but honestly who doesn’t love a good happy ending?? I don’t always want my heart ripped out of my chest lol! So if you’re looking for a non complex world, some romance, fae and dragons, magic both light and dark, battles, light politics and just overall an easy fast read that’s a complete series, this one’s for you!
May 29, 2024
last book of the trilogy. and i actually enjoyed this one a lot. i was kinda nervous about how much i would enjoy this one as the main characters are split up for most of the book but i liked it!
i know in my last review i said that i didn’t enjoy the parts where mavlyn and leap were the focus points of the story because i felt as if it didn’t add importance to the story. i enjoyed it more in this book but i still feel as if it was kinda useless.
like mavlyn and leap during this book are trying to get the word out about how the civil war shouldn’t happen and spreading the truth to the lesser fae but it doesn’t even do anything in the end. like it just gets mavlyn arrested and then adara had to rescue her. the anti war protests dont affect the big battle scene or the end of the book at all.
i also wished there was more information on mavlyn and quye’s relationship. for most of the books it’s like, hehe you’re pretty and i feel a connection to you and then as soon as mavlyn is rescued and they reunite, they just kiss and the epilogue just touches on the fact that they live together now. i would’ve liked to see more of their relationship.
anyway, pretty good series. easy read and overall i enjoyed.
i know in my last review i said that i didn’t enjoy the parts where mavlyn and leap were the focus points of the story because i felt as if it didn’t add importance to the story. i enjoyed it more in this book but i still feel as if it was kinda useless.
like mavlyn and leap during this book are trying to get the word out about how the civil war shouldn’t happen and spreading the truth to the lesser fae but it doesn’t even do anything in the end. like it just gets mavlyn arrested and then adara had to rescue her. the anti war protests dont affect the big battle scene or the end of the book at all.
i also wished there was more information on mavlyn and quye’s relationship. for most of the books it’s like, hehe you’re pretty and i feel a connection to you and then as soon as mavlyn is rescued and they reunite, they just kiss and the epilogue just touches on the fact that they live together now. i would’ve liked to see more of their relationship.
anyway, pretty good series. easy read and overall i enjoyed.
February 20, 2025
This whole series is a solid 3 stars. The first is my favorite, this one next, and the second was my least favorite. Eh. Maybe this is my favorite. Hard to decide right now. But the second one is the last, that’s for sure.
But these are entertaining reads! The ideas are good. There’s some twists and turns to keep it going. But they’re not the best written books.
This one does a lot more switching POV, especially to Mavlyn and Leap. Their parts weren’t my favorite. I enjoyed Adara and Quye in the other realm. Every chapter is a different POV, so be prepared to jump around.
Like the other books, the big final battles and reveals all happen so quickly and wrap up in a nice little bow. So it’s almost disappointing because it’s so quick and easy. All the buildup for not much. 2 chapters of Adara fighting and winning then 2 other POV chapters of the battle, 1 during and 1 right after.
So again, they’re amusing/entertaining. A light read if you’re looking for an easy fantasy.
But these are entertaining reads! The ideas are good. There’s some twists and turns to keep it going. But they’re not the best written books.
This one does a lot more switching POV, especially to Mavlyn and Leap. Their parts weren’t my favorite. I enjoyed Adara and Quye in the other realm. Every chapter is a different POV, so be prepared to jump around.
Like the other books, the big final battles and reveals all happen so quickly and wrap up in a nice little bow. So it’s almost disappointing because it’s so quick and easy. All the buildup for not much. 2 chapters of Adara fighting and winning then 2 other POV chapters of the battle, 1 during and 1 right after.
So again, they’re amusing/entertaining. A light read if you’re looking for an easy fantasy.
January 29, 2024
This book series was good it was about dragons 🐉 more specifically Andra her own realizing that she is a princess of dragons and also daughter of water Fae. this book has an overly predictable plot but I would say it’s probably a good YA novel. Lots of different types of magic world building was interesting with a war going on and at least she found her mate in the end. Her journey started off with her, trying to find her mother who is actually her foster mother. There was a lot of character growth between the main characters and supporting characters. The only reason I gave us a low star rating was had a very predictable ending and a predictable plot. The part about the fire fae I knew was coming! It’s also a bit slower paced but I loved the harpies!
January 17, 2025
Fantastic end to the trilogy. A very satisfying end overall, especially since there was a fair bit of "what happened after" which showed a bit more of what everyone did/ended up.
There was just enough action and excitement to keep the pace of the book moving forward. I also really enjoyed how the slow burn happened and the WAY in which it happened. Genuinely enjoyed reading these books. The magic system was still as intriguing just vastly under represented during the final conflicts. Interesting political landscape and a nice blend of realms, lands and an almost real-life feel to some as well.
Biggest gripe was the same as the previous two - many typos, missing words or extra words dotted throughout the whole book in some strange places.
There was just enough action and excitement to keep the pace of the book moving forward. I also really enjoyed how the slow burn happened and the WAY in which it happened. Genuinely enjoyed reading these books. The magic system was still as intriguing just vastly under represented during the final conflicts. Interesting political landscape and a nice blend of realms, lands and an almost real-life feel to some as well.
Biggest gripe was the same as the previous two - many typos, missing words or extra words dotted throughout the whole book in some strange places.
March 28, 2024
This was by far the best book of the series, I felt as though everything I had been waiting for to happen finally came to a head. Adara finally completing her ritual and unlocking her inner beast, Adara and Einar FINALLY completing their mating bond (that seriously took WAY to long), and everyone else coming into their own and finding themselves was truly amazing to see.
I loved that the dragons accepted Adara and having some of them come back with her was inspiring. Everything closed up nicely and I definitely noticed progress.
There were still some grammatical errors I noticed in this book and seemed to be a trend throughout the entire series which was a bit frustrating.
I loved that the dragons accepted Adara and having some of them come back with her was inspiring. Everything closed up nicely and I definitely noticed progress.
There were still some grammatical errors I noticed in this book and seemed to be a trend throughout the entire series which was a bit frustrating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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